Government's plan to solve traffic issues cannot work if the country's population continues to increase by 35,000 people a year, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said on Sunday.
He was being interviewed by Peppi Azzopardi.
He said that when the population of the country is increasing by the thousands every year, that also means that every year there are also thousands of more drivers. He continued that the increasing population needs to be addressed in order to address traffic and other challenges such as added pressure on healthcare and the infrastructure.
Commenting on a specific measure, Grech said that the measure to offer people money to give up their driving licence is a step in the right direction, but that it is not enough.
He commented that the PN had a proposal for a family to concede their vehicle for five years and receive €10,000. The difference between the two proposals, he said, is that with the PN's proposal, one's right to drive is not removed. He continued that through the PN's proposal, someone could concede their vehicle but maintain their driving licence, so, for example, if need be they could take care of things by borrowing a car. Grech remarked that the government copied this proposal, and that it should acknowledge when it is taking on the PN's recommendations or proposals.
Grech also spoke about the funeral of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis' funeral, which took place on Saturday in the Vatican City and was attended by many world leaders from all around the globe, was a "unique experience", Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech said.
Grech said that the world lost a leader of the Church, but also a political and religious leader of dignity. He described the late Pope Francis as a man who brought people together and spoke clearly, and as a man who stayed close with the people. "His funeral was the final farewell for a great man, but the good he has enacted will continue bearing fruit for years to come."
The PN Leader commented that he thinks Pope Francis "was always challenging us", as Grech added that it is the Pope's job to invoke some uncomfort in people "so that we reflect on our own behaviour and the way we live". Grech remarked that he is not surprised that the Maltese and Gozitan people love the Pope, adding that the Maltese and Gozitan people are a people who love and help where possible. He remarked that when the Maltese people say they love the Pope, he thinks it is recognition that the Pope's teachings align with how a lot of the people live.
Grech spoke about Francis Zammit Dimech's funeral as well, remarking that he feels great displeasure about not being present in Malta for his funeral, as he was on an official visit to China at the time. Grech described Zammit Dimech as a "special, affable, and loving person", and added that he truly loved and worked for Malta.
Speaking on the matter of drugs in Malta, Grech said that the PN's job in this regard is to recognise this difficulty and address the root of the problem. He said that the youths need to be educated on the effects drugs can have, and that there is an obligation to take care of youths and help them confront their difficulties and trauma. He also spoke of Mgr Victor Grech, who the PN Leader said dedicated his life to helping the victims of drugs.
The Opposition Leader stated that a person being happy is essential in living a life of quality. He continued that PN MPs all believe that everything they do and decide in their positions adheres to the reality of how people can live better lives. He continued that the PN's upcoming electoral programme will be better than the previous one, as he remarked that everything is based off a principle or value. He commented that measures and plans do not just come about out of nowhere, and that they are based on something which inspires the party.
Focusing on the topic of maternity and paternal leave, Grech remarked that fathers and mothers are both indispensable in the lives of children. He said that it is important for both the parents and the children to enjoy each others' presence, and he added that the PN wants to strengthen paternal and maternity leave, both for employees as well as those who are self-employed. He added that couples should also be able to decide who takes the extra days of leave.
Grech said that the government has introduced good measures regarding childcare, but he said that in the case of those who are able to and wish to be with their children instead of sending them to childcare, then subsidies which would be given for childcare should instead be given to the parents who choose to be with their children.
Questioned about his thoughts regarding automatic union membership, Grech began by saying that the unions in Malta do great work in favour of workers and workers' rights. Having said that, Grech stated that the PN does not agree with automatic union membership, as people have a right to associate or not to associate with a union.
Grech concluded by saying that the PN was, is, and will still be a party close to the workers.